OPKIXone

JOURNEY OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

CHALLENGE

Aspiring start-up Opkix had a vision to disrupt the consumer electronics world by creating the world’s smallest wearable camera solution. The challenge was to design and engineer the entire system (Camera / Egg) from a blank sheet of paper to meet very aggressive size constraints, manufacturing goals and IP ratings in a compressed timeframe. In collaboration with Arrow Electronics, they selected ATOM Innovation to be the Prime Development Lead on this first-to-market solution to deliver the world’s smallest wearable camera and Egg that would become OpkixOne.

Opkix required extraordinary attention to Industrial Design and details that pushed the boundaries of manufacturing, electronics packaging, costing and functionality. With ATOM’s extensive experience with wearable technology, imaging technologies, ruggedization, Design for Manufacturing and rapid development capabilities, the project started in earnest to drive the solution through ALPHA development in a hyper-development timeframe.

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SOLUTION

ATOM leveraged is extensive micro-engineering experience to quickly drive the electronics layout and component configuration that would net out with the smallest possible camera package. Additionally, the team cross-pollinated the program with suppliers and other technology that would quickly help shape this disruptive solution.

At every step of the way, the team worked with an off-shore electronics design team who was able to implement a very complex rigid flex PCB that ATOM designed to fit a great deal of components in the miniature camera housing. While this was transpiring, ATOM worked through materials and processes to pursue the thinnest walled aircraft grade aluminum unibody housing possible for the cameras.

In parallel, a very complex electronics package for the Egg was designed with multiple modular boards that needed to fit within a compound surface Egg housing, which needed to be the smallest possible package that would fit in one’s hand. The Egg faced many hurdles as the battery cell / package technology was not be conducive to fit within a housing that literally had no straight or linear surface. Design, size and quality were critical to implement as the overall product had to achieve “Apple-esque” stature within its final finish and appearance.

ATOM utilized various techniques with global partners to advance the potential of high-volume CNC manufacturing of the unibody camera that achieved incredible package capabilities in a miniature thin walled housing.

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RESULTS

What was called impossible by many industry experts, became attainable with the ability of the ATOM team. OPKIXOne, around the size of two sugar cubes, is a minature high-def camera that allows users to record, edit, and share life’s videos, whether attached to a pair of glasses, worn as a fashion accessory, or mounted to personal gear. #recordplay. #wearrecordplay